International Journal of Nursing

Undergraduate Nursing Student Perception of the Profession and Career Intentions in a Nigerian University
Esievo, Njideka Judith; Lawrence, Ruth; Okusanya, Taiwo Funmilola

Abstract
Perception and determination of future life orientation is important is judging student’s outcome in whatever profession or career they have chosen to study. This study used a cross-sectional research design to determine student’s perception and their future intentions toward nursing as a profession, a career or otherwise. A stratified random sampling method was used in the selection of 150 students who are from 200 to 500 levels in their bachelor degree nursing programme in a Nigeria University that participated in the study. A self-constructed questionnaire was used for data collection and analyses were done with 148 questionnaires retrieved. The results showed that majority (82.4%) of the respondents were females. More than half of the respondents (67.6%) were self-motivated to study nursing as it create avenues to settle early and opportunity to get a government jobs. Most of them (90.5%) perceived nursing to be an opportunity to serve humanity. About 93.3% of respondents are attracted to travel abroad. Also, 94.6% of the respondents are interested in continuing higher education, 93.4% of the respondents are not interested in changing profession. 93.2% of the respondents want to specialize. It was e recommended that nursing educators should play an important role in guidance and counseling of students about future prospect.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v10n1a2